Kenny says Gerry Adams should answer questions ‘in the best way he can’

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams should answer questions from the PSNI on the murder of Jean McConville "in the best way he can, to the full extent he can", Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

Speaking at the launch of Fine Gael’s local election manifesto in Dublin this morning, Mr Kenny said he “noted” the comments of Sinn Féin deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald that Mr Adams’ arrest may have been “politically motivated”.

However, Mr Kenny said the “most important fact” is that a live murder investigation is ongoing into Ms McConville’s death.

“The most important fact is that Jean McConville was murdered, a widowed mother of ten children and her body wasn’t found for very many years,” Mr Kenny said, adding that Ms McConville and her family are the “real victims”.

“This is still a live murder case, this is still a live investigation and all I can say is that I hope that the president of Sinn Féin, Deputy Adams, answers in the best way he can, to the full extent that he can questions that are being asked about a live murder investigation by the PSNI. She was murdered and her murder has not been solved.”

He also said he “noted” Ms McDonald’s comments but would not comment “on the undermining of or otherwise of the PSNI”.

“I have noted the comments in respect of the Sinn Féin party and the arrest of the president and comments made by the vice-president.

"I want to make it perfectly clear that parties in the south, and I can speak for our own, have absolutely no connection with this at all. I note that the vice-president, Deputy McDonald, has made allegations against parties in Northern Ireland and some individuals about in some way being involved with the PSNI for the arrest of Gerry Adams."